About Chambers Creek Foundation

Introduction

In early 1999, a handful of citizens founded the Chambers Creek Foundation. They came together with Pierce County in a public-private partnership to reclaim the 930-acre Chambers Creek Properties.

Larger than Point Defiance, the Properties are located on Puget Sound. The County began acquiring the parcels that comprise the Properties in 1956, with the largest purchase, that of the former Lone Star gravel mine, completed in 1992. In 1997, with input from thousands of its residents, the County adopted the Chambers Creek Properties Master Site Plan. The Plan transforms the Properties from a literal wasteland into a place of incredible beauty and purpose. It provides for recreational, scientific, environmental, educational and aesthetic uses for the public, including a golf course, an arboretum and botanical garden, a view restaurant, picnic and play areas, miles of recreational paths and much more.

The Plan, however, will take 50 years to realize if only public dollars are utilized, The Foundationís function, in partnership with Pierce County, is to accelerate that 50-year timeline and to provide amenities not usually associated with public development. With our partner Pierce County, the Foundation is committed to development of a caliber worthy of this exquisite natural resource.

And exquisite it is. The Property lies at the confluence of the communities of University Place, Lakewood and Steilacoom. Tree-lined boulevards provide stunning access. The Sound, the Peninsula, Fox and Anderson Islands, the Olympics and Mount Rainier are visible from various points on the Property. From Grandview, the elevation rapidly descends 230 feet over the half-mile to the Sound. The freight and passenger trains, tiny on the waterís edge, captivate the imagination.

Though still raw from its century as a gravel pit, reclamation of the Properties is already well underway. Amenities provided by the Foundation to date draw hundreds of citizens from around the area on a daily basis. Mothers with strollers, elderly couples with walkers, fitness buffs, cyclists, skaters (and the pets of all) enjoy the mile and a half of walking/running/biking path adjacent to Grandview overlooking the Sound. The Chambers Creek Labyrinth, designed after the Chartres Cathedral labyrinth, provides a place for quiet contemplation, in view of Mount Rainier. The Foundation has provided over $200,000 of support for these amenities.

Background Information

Pierce County Parks and Recreation and Public Works and Utilities purchased the 930 acres that comprise Chambers Creek Properties over a period of 20 years. The land had been devastated by 110 years of sand and gravel mining. A 50-year Master Site Plan for the acreage was completed in 1997, following input from cities and neighbors that included University Place, Lakewood and Steilacoom. The Master Site Plan Summary has been attached as Ex. 1. The Foundation notes with pride that the Master Site Plan received the 2004 American Planning Association National Planning Award, and that the role of the Foundation was mentioned in the Award citation.

Seven hundred fifty acres of land have been designate for recreational use by the public. The Robert Trent Jones firm has been retained to design a 27-hole PGA Golf Course. Other planned public uses include a view restaurant, hiking trails with amenities, a boat launch, educational facilities, an arboretum, a botanical garden and a play area for children. These projects have the potential to generate revenue to maintain the Chambers Creek Properties over time and positively impact the economies of surrounding cities.

The remaining 250 acres will be devoted to expansion of the Chambers Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant. Construction of man-made ponds and streams will be designed to provide tertiary wastewater treatment that will be recycled to provide a watering capability for the Chambers Creek Properties. The Pierce County Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant is located on the property. Six hundred fifty acres of mining wasteland will be returned to biological productivity though the use of reclaimed water and bio-solid-amended soils manufactured on-site.

The Chambers Creek Foundation and Pierce County have entered into a written agreement, which designates the Foundation to serve as the exclusive conduit for gifts and donations from other individuals and organizations for the site. The intention of designating one entity to receive such donations is to provide consistency, uniformity and avoid duplication of efforts. Consistent with this intention, the Foundation will endeavor to communicate with other regional projects with similar goals, such as Northwest Trek, Metropolitan Parks and others to avoid duplication of services and expand and enhance recreational and educational opportunities region-wide.

The Foundation Board receives and reviews potential development plans for projects on the Chambers Creek Properties submitted by other community organizations and interested citizens. Guideline criteria designed to facilitate the review process were developed in February 2003, and are attached as Ex. 3.

Accomplishments to Date

Labyrinth. A 50-foot circular labyrinth was constructed on the property, designed for use by the public for walking, reflection and meditation, at a cost of $70,000, with assistance by the Chambers Creek Foundation. The City of University Place was one of the major contributors to the Labyrinth project.

Memorial Trees. A Memorial Tree Garden is rising in the area of the Labyrinth. It began as the Foundationís way to recognize contributors to the Labyrinth. Several other families have now donated additional trees in memory of beloved friends. The ultimate goal is to provide a beautiful buffer between the Labyrinth and the University Place School Districtís bus storage facility.

Hiking Trails. Two miles of hiking trails have already been installed along the Grandbiew/64^th Street neighborhood. These trails will ultimately surround the park with 10 miles of hiking trails and access to the water below.

Spot of Shade. On November 30, 2006, the Chambers Creek Foundation donated this completed project to the Chambers Creek Properties. The previously vacant piece of land on Grandview Trail between 53^rd Street West and 56^th Street West was developed as a plaza for gathering and resting along the Grandview Trail, at a cost of $25,000.

Dog and Owner Water Fountain. In six weekís time, the Foundation raised in excess of $3,500 to install and maintain the first of several water fountains, uniquely designed to serve both pet owners and their pets walking the trails. Installation of the first fountain was completed in early summer 2004, and a dedication ceremony for the fountain is planned. The City of University Place will provide financial support for the project by absorbing some maintenance and water supply costs. Approximately half of the amount needed for a second fountain has been received by the Foundation.

Eagle Scout Projects. Eagle Scout candidates have completed, or are in the process of completing, numerous Eagle projects on the property. The Foundation has chosen this way, and is looking for others, to (1) encourage community involvement in the Properties at every level; (2) identify low cost ways to obtain ìamenitiesî for the Properties. One scout has built benches on which walkers may rest. Another has cleared the trailhead for the canyon trail. The goal is that hundreds of Eagle candidates will do projects in the area, and will be able to bring their own children back to ìtheirî park and trail system.